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Viruslike particles in malaria parasites

J A Terzakis, J P Vanderberg, M M Weiss

    The Journal of Parasitology
    |June 1, 1976
    PubMed

    Insights

    Ultrastructural analysis reveals viruslike particles in malaria parasites during sporogony. Geometric aggregations in early stages suggest nascent virus forms, distinct from dispersed later stages.

    Area of Science:

    • Parasitology
    • Virology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Malaria parasites exhibit complex life cycles involving various developmental stages.
    • The presence and nature of viruslike particles (VLPs) in parasites are not fully understood.
    • Sporogony is a critical phase in the malaria parasite's life cycle within the mosquito vector.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To detail the ultrastructural characteristics of VLPs during malaria parasite sporogony.
    • To compare VLP morphology and aggregation patterns across different parasite species and developmental stages.
    • To investigate the potential implications of observed VLP structures, particularly geometric aggregations.

    Main Methods:

    • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine VLPs in Plasmodium berghei, Plasmodium gallinaceum, and Plasmodium cynomolgi bastianelli.
    • Negative staining techniques were applied to fractionated mosquito midguts infected with P. berghei.
    • Morphometric analysis focused on particle size (42-52 nm), density, and aggregation patterns.

    Main Results:

    • VLPs were observed in ookinetes and oocysts of malaria parasites at various sporogonic times.
    • Early oocysts and ookinetes showed geometric aggregations of smaller diameter VLPs lacking envelopes.
    • Later oocyst stages displayed dispersed VLPs with similar size and shape to those in early aggregates.
    • VLPs from infected mosquito midguts shared characteristics with those observed in parasite stages.

    Conclusions:

    • Geometric VLP aggregations in early sporogonic stages may represent an incomplete or nascent virus particle form.
    • VLP morphology remains consistent in size and shape, whether aggregated or dispersed, throughout sporogony.
    • These findings contribute to understanding virus-parasite interactions in malaria transmission.

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